Continuing with the Sinister Shadow theatre (Page 49 of my transcription of Paula Rego’s ‘Snow White and her Stepmother’)

page 49

‘The German artist Katherina Fritsch’s powerful spatially dominant sculpture ‘Rattenkonig’ (Rat King) 1993 -94 is the product of a very ordinary experience which the artist had in a large city (at the back of New York Art institution). She finds herself in front of a large rathole. The idea was born for a ring of huge rats, geometrically linked to for a crown.

fritsch-ratking-

This awakens associations with the legends and stories of a circular tangle of knotted rats tails, a seat of infection and a demonic throng. Whereas the kind of rat found on the shelves of toy shops represents a ‘lovable cuddly copy’, the sexless 2.8 metre high creatures in the ‘Rottenkonig‘ installation resemble the immaterial simulation of computer design. Fritsch is fascinated with the English Arts and Crafts movement and she applies the ideology of enhancing perfect industrial and perfectly crafted products in her sculptures.’

Well, I can’t believe that this is my 160th post! What on earth have I found to write (or ramble on about?) I now have 11 categories. Some of these are well left behind – like the London Jaunt and LasVegas. They’re nice to look back on though. I am continuing with my Transcription. That consists of two journals stuck together and I am nearly coming to the end of the first one.

transcription journal front

I have some more surfaces to continue with yet. The altered art book has 3 pages before the first chapter is finished. I am then into brand new territory. Some pages have been prepared, but the words haven’t been chosen (which was the case when the book disappeared for a few years then popped up. I then couldn’t remember WHY I’d chosen those particular words, but decided to try to work with them anyway. There are three chapters altogether.

page7 and8 altered art book

I have introduced a new section called ‘Dear Reader I Read it’ which will critique what I’m reading, or re reading. Another category is called ‘Bronte Bites’. This will be about stuff relating to the Brontes. The Brontes fascinate me, but I do not purport to be an expert on them by any means. I’m always willing to learn what I can about them from people who are more knowledgable than me. So any opinion that I give is only my own opinion, and not an expert one.

bronte_sisters by branwell bronte c1834

I will be continuing with ‘Art I LOVE’, because I love SO MUCH art! I am finding it increasingly difficult to actually do any art (apart from my altered book) as I have so many other things on the go. That’s my update anyway, and where I am up to at the moment.